jeangenie's 52 for 2009 - Week 26 Night

Another vote for the flower Jean, it's a stunning shot and a great way to show how far you've come, photographically speaking.:thumbs:
 
adrury said:
Hello Jean, revision done! exam done! I actually had my back seize during a 15hour revision session, and again during the exam!! However, I am all rested and ready to go again.

Complex:
I love this shot. The lighting colour and clarity are all great, but I particularly like your use of the negative space.

Time:
This is yet another good shot from you. I think blackbirds are underrated (so are magpies, but that's a whole other story) and I love the fact that a wild bird can train a human to pander to it! Fab!

Inspiration:
It's good to see the wood in its before and after state. This shot has the great clarity, colour and composition I have come to expect from you. The mushrooms themselves are just plain beautiful objects.

Development:
I like the quality of the blackbird shot, he looks so proud, but the flower shot is outstanding.

:clap::clap::clap:
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Hi Angela

Welcome back - it sounds as though you needed a good rest after all that - revision, exams and a back problem. What a nightmare! I hope your back really is ok now. :) When will you get your results? I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Thank you for all the kind comments - I do like blackbirds - they're cheeky, brave and good parents. And they're not fazed by our dogs in the slightest. I was probably fairly easy to train though - I'm such a soft touch. :D Mr JG says thank you for the compliment on the toadstools. He's very chuffed that people like them. :)

I'm glad you like the sweet pea shot. :)

maddog.mark said:
Another vote for the flower Jean, it's a stunning shot and a great way to show how far you've come, photographically speaking.:thumbs:
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Thanks to you, as well, Mark. I think having a nice flower in just the right place helped. :D

Jean
 
The flower shot for me :clap::clap::clap:

What a fantastic way to show what you´ve learned, so shows your own development too :lol:

Can´t believe we are this far through :eek:

And ..... I want a macro lens ....... :love:
 
Bruja said:
The flower shot for me

What a fantastic way to show what you´ve learned, so shows your own development too :lol:

Can´t believe we are this far through :eek:

And ..... I want a macro lens ....... :love:
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Thanks, Jill. :)

Yep, the weeks seem to fly by and this year is being measured in 'what's this week's theme' and 'omg, it's Saturday already and no ideas' :D

I love my macro lens - it opened up a whole new world and even in miserable weather (not that you get that over there!) I can usually find something small and interesting to photograph in the garden. Treat yourself. :naughty::naughty: :)

Jean
 
Week 25 Freedom

At last - the ultimate choice! Freedom to choose - anything at all. But, as always with the abstract concepts, it's not so easy to illustrate it in a photo.

With a very busy week this week, I knew I wouldn't have much time to spend with the camera, and in fact with 2 possible subjects I had 15 minutes yesterday to nail one of them. I was lucky with finding a herd of New Forest ponies, and the skittish foal running away from a concerned mum was the perfect 'Freedom' - freedom from parental control, freedom from protection, freedom to run and gollop through the Forest. However, Mum was hot on her tracks and quickly brought her errant youngster back to heel (or hoof!). :) So the young foal's freedom - like so many freedoms - was something of a transitory illusion.

So for Week 25, I offer you: 'Catch me if you can' :)




Lessons learned:

1 Sometimes the wish to meet a deadline overrides the desire to stretch togging skills. If I don't post this tonight I won't have another chance until Monday, and I've promised myself I won't get behind with this 52. :cuckoo:

2 When you're in a hurry things go wrong. I've never had trouble posting into the Gallery until tonight. :bang:

3 Washed out skies don't make for good shots. :bang:

4 If I'd been in less of a hurry, I'd have thought a bit more about exposure. Grrr.....

5 Yet again, I'm not a happy bunny because I know this is more about not getting behind than getting a shot I could be proud of. :$

6 I would have liked to get more sense of movement into the horses' hooves, but I missed my chance.

7 Photos taken in haste usually leave me feeling disappointed - this was no exception. At least the foal was cute! :)

8 I shall try and make a bit more time for next week's photo.

Jean
 
Jean, dont be so hard on yourself!!!!!
Second point, I likes this :) Freedom indeed. - Not anything technical about the shot, but it looks like it's been compressed?

And, the Gallery on here has been having maintenance ;)
 
I like the composition and the subject of this shot Jean. I too have trouble with washed out skies, and am thinking of investing in a polarising filter, which in turn should help with shots of my black lab.

This weeks shot is still a nice capture though even with the few issues you pointed out! :clap::clap:
 
I've been what's technically known as a "lurker" over here for the last few weeks :D

I just wanted to drop in and offer some encouragement to everyone doing these 52's.
It takes some real dedication to commit to a photo a week . . . every week.

Keep it up, I'm really enjoying browsing through these threads, and I think those horseys look great :)
 
I like the shot but what I really like is that you know what you need to do to make it even better the next time. We all have these weeks I think it's good that we learn from them it's what this process is all about I hope.

Keep up the good work:clap:

Mark:thumbs:
 
Its a fine shot Jean and a nice idea, Mother restricting the foal's feedom.

In 10years we will look back and laugh at how we struggle with the dynamic range of our cameras, I try my best to get it right in camera, I shoot in RAW, I use lightroom to pull the best of it out, and still.. blown sky.

A little contrasty but other than that, a good effort.
 
Nice one Jean, as Hyster said, a little contrasty and the skies can be damnable problematic at time, I get lots looking like that too, and like Hyster, a lot of the time can't do a thing with it. It shows the theme nicely :thumbs:
 
Well that's a pretty good effort and I'm not sure why you dislike it, ok so it could be better but we all think that about our shots that we enter on the 52s.:lol:

To me you did the right thing to get your shot in on time and be ready to got for the following weeks theme, and remember there is always the reshoot...:thumbs:
 
I love the concept and the composition but it looks to me like the processing has been pushed a little too far to even the exposure, the light really wasnt on your side by the look of things.
 
Great idea :thumbs:

It actually reminds me of my first day at school when I kept trying to escape from the classroom but the teacher always got to the door before I did :(

Well shot in difficult lighting :clap::clap:

And your self-analysis shows great determination (as usual :D)

Keep writing, I love reading it :love:
 
Shorty said:
Jean, dont be so hard on yourself!!!!!
Second point, I likes this Freedom indeed. - Not anything technical about the shot, but it looks like it's been compressed?

And, the Gallery on here has been having maintenance
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Honest, Shorty - it's not compressed - I wouldn't know how!!! Thanks for the info on the Gallery though - good timing on my part, eh? :)

adrury said:
I like the composition and the subject of this shot Jean. I too have trouble with washed out skies, and am thinking of investing in a polarising filter, which in turn should help with shots of my black lab.

This weeks shot is still a nice capture though even with the few issues you pointed out!
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Thanks Angela. I had expected to be able to get a shot without sky in it - but it's the typical 'working with animals syndrome'.

SarahLee said:
I've been what's technically known as a "lurker" over here for the last few weeks

I just wanted to drop in and offer some encouragement to everyone doing these 52's.
It takes some real dedication to commit to a photo a week . . . every week.

Keep it up, I'm really enjoying browsing through these threads, and I think those horseys look great
Click to expand...

Awww - thank you Sarah - and welcome :wave: I'm glad I decided to do the 52 - it's made me take shots I wouldn't have thought of and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Even when it's difficult to find the time, it's good to work under a bit of pressure to get something 'useable'.

btw - you could still join the party. :)

maddog.mark said:
I like the shot but what I really like is that you know what you need to do to make it even better the next time. We all have these weeks I think it's good that we learn from them it's what this process is all about I hope.

Keep up the good work

Mark
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Thanks Mark. Glad you like it. :)

Hyster said:
Its a fine shot Jean and a nice idea, Mother restricting the foal's feedom.

In 10years we will look back and laugh at how we struggle with the dynamic range of our cameras, I try my best to get it right in camera, I shoot in RAW, I use lightroom to pull the best of it out, and still.. blown sky.

A little contrasty but other than that, a good effort.
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Thanks Hyster. I pp'd it very quickly and should have spent a bit more time getting detail in the mare - she was just too underexposed. :bonk:

jgs001 said:
Nice one Jean, as Hyster said, a little contrasty and the skies can be damnable problematic at time, I get lots looking like that too, and like Hyster, a lot of the time can't do a thing with it. It shows the theme nicely
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Thanks John. For me part of the problem with this type of shot is having to grab it quickly - those 2 weren't going to hang about for me - and by the time I've worked out what I need to do, it's too late. :bonk:

Spartacus said:
Well that's a pretty good effort and I'm not sure why you dislike it, ok so it could be better but we all think that about our shots that we enter on the 52s.

To me you did the right thing to get your shot in on time and be ready to got for the following weeks theme, and remember there is always the reshoot
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Thanks Marcus. I really appreciate your comments.

I'm disappointed with the shot because I know I rushed it, gave it little thought, and then rushed the pp'ing. I know if I get behind with this challenge, I'll never catch up and then I'll get discouraged and so the spiral will go down and down.


Toothie said:
I love the concept and the composition but it looks to me like the processing has been pushed a little too far to even the exposure, the light really wasnt on your side by the look of things.
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Thanks Ruth. Somewhere along the line I've moved from under-processing to over-processing. I think it's time I tried to redress the balance. :)

Bruja said:
Great idea

It actually reminds me of my first day at school when I kept trying to escape from the classroom but the teacher always got to the door before I did

Well shot in difficult lighting

And your self-analysis shows great determination (as usual )

Keep writing, I love reading it
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Thanks, Jill. And thanks for the compliment on my ramblings. :)

Hehehe, I can just imagine you dashing out of the classroom, with the teacher in hot pursuit. :lol: Your determination obviously developed at an early age. :)


Jean
 
Well done jean, horses are always difficult to get a good shot of.
 
Lisa said:
What a lovely shot! The foal does look cute!

Whats round mums neck?

I took have probs with washed out skies!
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Thanks Lisa - glad you like it.

Mum is wearing a soft fabric reflective collar. New Forest ponies (like Dartmoor ponies, etc) roam free - and that includes on most of the Forest roads. The collars make them a bit easier to see in the dark but despite that and a 40mph speed limit on forest roads there are still a lot of accidents. Foals generally stay close to mum for the first couple of months - but you have to watch out for them when they get to the adventurous stage - no road sense at all. :)

Jean
 
jeangenie said:
Awww - thank you Sarah - and welcome :wave: I'm glad I decided to do the 52 - it's made me take shots I wouldn't have thought of and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Even when it's difficult to find the time, it's good to work under a bit of pressure to get something 'useable'.

btw - you could still join the party. :)
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:D:lol: Right now I'm still getting to grips with just taking photos - never mind trying to fit them to a theme . . . but you never know, in a few weeks, I might become a late joiner on the 52s.
(unless someone tells me I have to make up the 30 something weeks that I'll have missed :eek:)
 
SarahLee said:
:D:lol: Right now I'm still getting to grips with just taking photos - never mind trying to fit them to a theme . . . but you never know, in a few weeks, I might become a late joiner on the 52s.
(unless someone tells me I have to make up the 30 something weeks that I'll have missed :eek:)
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Hi Sarah - I've just had a look at your 'Learning Curve' thread - and that's fantastic progress. I love the apple and candle/reflection shots - good composition and good use of depth of field, especially the apples. I hope you're enjoying your experimenting.

Be warned though - it can get addictive and you find yourself looking at everything with a view to photographing it. :D

There's not rule that says you have to catch up - unless you want to, of course. :) Just join in.:)

Jean
 
Week 26 Night

I don't suppose I'm the only one to notice we're half way there! :D Typical of the timing so far, though, that we get Night as a theme in the middle of summer when there's least of it about. :bang:

At least it's been warm. We could have all been standing in pouring rain, freezing cold to get this week's shot (except Dizzy, of course, and possibly Bruja :))

For me one of the fantastic things about living in the New Forest is that it's dark at night, meaning there's there little light pollution, so my immediate idea was the Night Sky. There are several people on tp who would think nothing of produced a fabulous photo of the night sky, with stars all identified, or a fantastic moon. I wouldn't know where to start, so although the 52 is supposed to be pushing my photographic boundaries this Night Sky is as far as it went this week. :)



This is one of three new, very large and controversial new ferries on the Lymington to Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) run. After several failed attempts to get a good shot as the ferry arrived or left Lymington I managed to grab a couple of shots as the cars disembarked.

Lessons learned:

1 Don't underestimate how many people there are about in a holiday location on a warm summer's evening - the Lymington River area was very crowded.

2 It feels quite relaxing to be out with the camera (and Mr JG :love:) watching boats coming and going.

3 Photographing in crowded areas is outside my comfort zone, but once I got 'stuck in' it was ok.

4 Be prepared to change location if you're not getting the shots you want. I started on the bank opposite the ferry terminal but we ended up having a quick dash round to the other bank of the river to get the ferry mooring up.

5 Grab the shot while you can. This is handheld at 1250 iso, f4 because the cars were rolling off and I didn't have anywhere to set the tripod up.

6 Be cheeky. To my suprise, I was able to walk into the ferry terminal and just walked up to the barrier and started shooting. Nobody challenged me. Being a grey-haired old lady seems to have its advantages then. :lol:

7 This is one shot I'd like to reshoot - hopefully better with more planning.


Thanks for looking. C&C always most welcome. :)

Oh - and I cheated: the ferry is called the 'Wight Sky' - as you can probably see from the dodgy digi-ing :$

The only other pp was blurring the number plates and usual stuff for web. :)


Jean
 
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Very nicely done Jean, I do like the blue of the sky, which I myself found to be a pleasing side to night photography. I agree bout being out and about relaxing, Mr D and myself found the same thing.

super! :clap::clap::clap:
 
adrury said:
Very nicely done Jean, I do like the blue of the sky, which I myself found to be a pleasing side to night photography. I agree bout being out and about relaxing, Mr D and myself found the same thing.

super! :clap::clap::clap:
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Thanks Angela. :) I think it's quite amazing how the sky changes colour so quickly - and the camera seems to accelerate the changes. It's brilliant, and definitely something I want to do more of.


Andy said:
very nice, looks great.
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Thanks Andy - much appreciated. :)

Jean
 
Ah Jean so sorry i missed your Freedom shot - and quite a nice one too - they look free galloping around (or cantering or trotting - what do I know :)) Not sure its my fave of your shots but it fits the theme really well :)

And Nights a winner - real atmosphere there with the red tinged light to the left - I like that one very much :)
 
This is handheld at 1250 iso
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Well done for bumping the iso up to get the shot, you have pulled it off nicely.

There is plenty to keep my eye wandering around the scene and its certainly fits the theme, as you say Jean, half way there...
 
jeangenie said:
For me one of the fantastic things about living in the New Forest is that it's dark at night, meaning there's there little light pollution, so my immediate idea was the Night Sky. There are several people on tp who would think nothing of produced a fabulous photo of the night sky, with stars all identified, or a fantastic moon. I wouldn't know where to start, so although the 52 is supposed to be pushing my photographic boundaries this Night Sky is as far as it went this week. :)
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Some beautiful night sky shots are one of my ambitions too - unfortunately though, I think I have far further to go than you on that one :lol:

Great photo though - and I thought the "Night Sky" bit was very good. It was one of the first things I noticed and if you hadn't pointed it out I wouldn't even have realised that it had been PP'd.
 
Dark Star said:
Ah Jean so sorry i missed your Freedom shot - and quite a nice one too - they look free galloping around (or cantering or trotting - what do I know :)) Not sure its my fave of your shots but it fits the theme really well :)

And Nights a winner - real atmosphere there with the red tinged light to the left - I like that one very much :)
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Thanks for the comments, John. Much appreciated as always. The Freedom wasn't one of my fave shots either. :(

I had no control over the various components of the Night shot so the red tinged light was just good luck - and I didn't even notice it until I downloaded. :D

Hyster said:
Well done for bumping the iso up to get the shot, you have pulled it off nicely.

There is plenty to keep my eye wandering around the scene and its certainly fits the theme, as you say Jean, half way there...
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Thanks Hyster. I'm still amazed at how well the D700 handles stratospheric iso's - it enables me to get shots I couldn't even of dreamed of with my S3Pro. :D:D

SarahLee said:
Some beautiful night sky shots are one of my ambitions too - unfortunately though, I think I have far further to go than you on that one :lol:

Great photo though - and I thought the "Night Sky" bit was very good. It was one of the first things I noticed and if you hadn't pointed it out I wouldn't even have realised that it had been PP'd.
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Thanks, Sarah - you're very kind. :) It sounds as though you're enjoying your photography - which is what it's all about. :D

Jean
 
Well done Jean, that's a great shot, and, whilst it took me a moment... I found the Night Sky :d... I'm surprised there's room for this sort of vessel in Lymington, and god knows how the roads cope...

As for shots of the nightsky... that's one real big and huge can of worms... the results can be very spectacular and rewarding... but if you think photography is expensive :lol: and the entire capture process has to be manual everything... and processing whoa...
 
jgs001 said:
Well done Jean, that's a great shot, and, whilst it took me a moment... I found the Night Sky :d... I'm surprised there's room for this sort of vessel in Lymington, and god knows how the roads cope...

As for shots of the nightsky... that's one real big and huge can of worms... the results can be very spectacular and rewarding... but if you think photography is expensive :lol: and the entire capture process has to be manual everything... and processing whoa...
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Thanks John. :)

It sounds as though you know Lymington - it's getting more crowded every year, imo. There are lots of concerns about the new ferries - danger for small craft, and damage to the River banks from the side thrust for starters, but the Island's economy depends on regular transport, so it's a bit of a balancing act, I suppose. Lymington is still a lovely spot though and we're so lucky having it on our doorstep. :)

Jean
 
Hyster said:
Well done for bumping the iso up to get the shot, you have pulled it off nicely.

There is plenty to keep my eye wandering around the scene and its certainly fits the theme, as you say Jean, half way there...
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I agree I've just started to pushing the ISO for these sort of shots and it's not all bad...

I like the whole thing and shows that life goes on just because it's gone dark. You got a great capture and a nice pleasing shot well done...:thumbs:

and being a bit picky...with your PP work...you forgot to clone out the other W to a N on the portside...:p....

Well done Jean a excellent shot...:clap::clap::clap:
 
Really like this shot Jean, and well done for exploring high ISO :clap:

Composition :thumbs:

Colours :thumbs:

Level of interest :thumbs:

Learning points :thumbs: :D
 
Spartacus said:
I agree I've just started to pushing the ISO for these sort of shots and it's not all bad...

I like the whole thing and shows that life goes on just because it's gone dark. You got a great capture and a nice pleasing shot well done...:thumbs:

and being a bit picky...with your PP work...you forgot to clone out the other W to a N on the portside...:p....

Well done Jean a excellent shot...
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Oooops - I never even noticed the name of the ferry on the other side. :$

Glad you like it despite that. :D


Bruja said:
Really like this shot Jean, and well done for exploring high ISO

Composition :thumbs:

Colours :thumbs:

Level of interest :thumbs:

Learning points :thumbs: :D
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Thanks Jill - I have to say, I enjoyed the evening and it's something quite different for me. :)

Jean
 
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